President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) says she hopes to see Taiwan and the United States finalize the U.S.-Taiwan 21st Century Trade Initiative by the end of this year. Tsai met with Washington’s Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) on Tuesday and thanked it for consolidating Taiwanese-American support and raising the country’s profile.
Negotiations regarding the trade initiative began last June. Both sides have discussed a free trade agreement that involves anti-corruption measures, legal operations, and small and medium enterprises.
President Tsai says the U.S.-Taiwan relationship has been strengthened by tangible collaboration. She says she looks forward to deepening the ties through the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, which usually takes place at the end of year.
CCBA has helped Taiwan deliver medical supplies to countries in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been a strong advocate for Taiwan worldwide since it was founded in 1951. Tsai says the association is a societal diplomatic force that leverages its influence for good.